Red E brake Light problems

jlaw98gt · November 1st, 2009, 11:25 PM

Well for the past few weeks it seems everytime i step on the brake..the red light is coming on. i used to come on only under hard braking, but now it comes on everytime i touch the peddle. my brake history is this. Stock brakes until 1500 miles ago then i replaced them with premium rotors from napa (front only) with a set of hawk hps pads. before that i broke my e brake cable and we fixed the cable but we think the lever is now broke cause everyonce in a while the handle will come right up without engaging the e brake..

we also found that the drivers side caliper has a small leak we stopped off the fluid about well right when we did front brakes and it hasnt gone down since but my dad said there was definitly leak from that caliper...

does anyone know what could be the cause of the problem? can i be the leaky caliper? or have anything to do with broken e brake handle? i will say that there was a few times i would start my car (when cold) pull outa drive way and go down my street to stop sign in first gear and when i let off gas..the red e brake light would come on...something is up...

C MY 4D · November 1st, 2009, 11:31 PM

Its the leaky caliper..... it could have something to do with the ebrake handle but the best way to tell would be to inspect the switch.

1rnkpny · November 2nd, 2009, 01:57 AM

There is only 2 switches in that circuit. 1 is at the e-brake handle and the other is in the master cylinder. Both ground out the circuit. What is you fluid level at, and is your e-brake handle sticking?

jlaw98gt · November 2nd, 2009, 10:25 AM

fluid level is fine.. what do u mean sticking? cause when i release it and pull it back down it like stays not on the last click..but enough that the light stays on so i always have to keep making sure it went all the way down...

97S281 · November 2nd, 2009, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by jlaw98gt

i broke my e brake cable and we fixed the cable .

I was under the impression the Ebrake cable was a replace only item. It's not meant to be repaired. I would suggest getting a new cable and fixing the leaking caliper before going any further. I imagine the caliper just needs a new set of crush washers. You should be able to get some at any parts store for about a buck.

jlaw98gt · November 2nd, 2009, 09:26 PM

when i say fixed cable i meant got a new one lol..thought you would be able to figure that out.. how can i find out what is wrong with caliper? obviously taking it off car but like what do i look for? i got money to waste i was just gonna go get a new one from ford... i dont know what they run anyway...im sure over 100 bucks

1rnkpny · November 2nd, 2009, 10:40 PM

If your e-brake handle is rebounding slightly causing the light to come on, and you say you have replaced the main cable, I'd be looking at the rear calipers starting to sieze where the cables attach. As for your front caliper, where is it leaking from? The piston or the line entering the caliper?

jlaw98gt · November 3rd, 2009, 12:20 AM

i dont think i said the front one is bad..we just did front brakes..guess its time for rears

1rnkpny · November 3rd, 2009, 01:20 AM

I just reread your original post. My mistake. Sounds like a seizing rear caliper for sure.

jlaw98gt · November 3rd, 2009, 10:20 AM

anyone know what these calipers usually run? should i go to ford or is napa ok? i get napa stuff for cost so i use them for everything i can unless its something i wouldnt wanna mess with

97S281 · November 3rd, 2009, 06:20 PM

If your replacing the rear calipers they go for around $40 bucks at autozone. If your going to replace the front ones i'd recommend going to a junk yard and getting the caliper brackets from an 01-04 gt. They use a 2 piston caliper and a bigger pad. The bracket will bolt right up to our cars and you can get alot better braking for not much more cash.

1rnkpny · November 3rd, 2009, 09:05 PM

You can make sure it is the calipers just by disconnecting the cables from the calipers and seeing if your handle returns to its original position.

97S281 · November 4th, 2009, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by 1rnkpny

You can make sure it is the calipers just by disconnecting the cables from the calipers and seeing if your handle returns to its original position.

That is a damn fine suggestion. I never thought of doing that.

Reps to you my friend.

1rnkpny · November 4th, 2009, 10:25 PM

Cheers and spanks!

Um........I mean thanks.

jlaw98gt · November 5th, 2009, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by 97S281

If your replacing the rear calipers they go for around $40 bucks at autozone. If your going to replace the front ones i'd recommend going to a junk yard and getting the caliper brackets from an 01-04 gt. They use a 2 piston caliper and a bigger pad. The bracket will bolt right up to our cars and you can get alot better braking for not much more cash.

thats good info..we just did front brakes but maybe down the rode..is it really better??

Originally Posted by 1rnkpny

You can make sure it is the calipers just by disconnecting the cables from the calipers and seeing if your handle returns to its original position.

ill have trythat

by the way..the red brake light is on all the time now....

97S281 · November 7th, 2009, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by jlaw98gt

is it really better??

Yes, you definately notice the extra stopping power.

November 1st, 2009, 11:25 PM	#1
jlaw98gt MM's Surfer dude Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Grove NJ Posts: 2,733	Red E brake Light problems Well for the past few weeks it seems everytime i step on the brake..the red light is coming on. i used to come on only under hard braking, but now it comes on everytime i touch the peddle. my brake history is this. Stock brakes until 1500 miles ago then i replaced them with premium rotors from napa (front only) with a set of hawk hps pads. before that i broke my e brake cable and we fixed the cable but we think the lever is now broke cause everyonce in a while the handle will come right up without engaging the e brake.. we also found that the drivers side caliper has a small leak we stopped off the fluid about well right when we did front brakes and it hasnt gone down since but my dad said there was definitly leak from that caliper... does anyone know what could be the cause of the problem? can i be the leaky caliper? or have anything to do with broken e brake handle? i will say that there was a few times i would start my car (when cold) pull outa drive way and go down my street to stop sign in first gear and when i let off gas..the red e brake light would come on...something is up... __________________ 1998 Mustang GT 5spd stock

November 1st, 2009, 11:31 PM	#2
C MY 4D Black Mamba w/ a New Box. Yeah Baby. 2003 Cobra 11.14@124.36 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 3,018	Its the leaky caliper..... it could have something to do with the ebrake handle but the best way to tell would be to inspect the switch. __________________ MM Cobra Club Hater Club Founder..... Need work done to your car for a great price in Hampton Roads? Shoot me a PM.

November 2nd, 2009, 01:57 AM	#3
1rnkpny Hardcore Enthusiast 2007 MUSTANG Slower than a F-16 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,074	There is only 2 switches in that circuit. 1 is at the e-brake handle and the other is in the master cylinder. Both ground out the circuit. What is you fluid level at, and is your e-brake handle sticking? __________________ MUSIC BREAKS THE SILENCE

November 2nd, 2009, 10:25 AM	#4
jlaw98gt MM's Surfer dude Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Grove NJ Posts: 2,733	fluid level is fine.. what do u mean sticking? cause when i release it and pull it back down it like stays not on the last click..but enough that the light stays on so i always have to keep making sure it went all the way down... __________________ 1998 Mustang GT 5spd stock

November 2nd, 2009, 09:26 PM	#6
jlaw98gt MM's Surfer dude Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Grove NJ Posts: 2,733	when i say fixed cable i meant got a new one lol..thought you would be able to figure that out.. how can i find out what is wrong with caliper? obviously taking it off car but like what do i look for? i got money to waste i was just gonna go get a new one from ford... i dont know what they run anyway...im sure over 100 bucks __________________ 1998 Mustang GT 5spd stock

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November 2nd, 2009, 10:40 PM	#7
1rnkpny Hardcore Enthusiast 2007 MUSTANG Slower than a F-16 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,074	If your e-brake handle is rebounding slightly causing the light to come on, and you say you have replaced the main cable, I'd be looking at the rear calipers starting to sieze where the cables attach. As for your front caliper, where is it leaking from? The piston or the line entering the caliper? __________________ MUSIC BREAKS THE SILENCE

November 3rd, 2009, 12:20 AM	#8
jlaw98gt MM's Surfer dude Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Grove NJ Posts: 2,733	i dont think i said the front one is bad..we just did front brakes..guess its time for rears __________________ 1998 Mustang GT 5spd stock

November 3rd, 2009, 01:20 AM	#9
1rnkpny Hardcore Enthusiast 2007 MUSTANG Slower than a F-16 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,074	I just reread your original post. My mistake. Sounds like a seizing rear caliper for sure. __________________ MUSIC BREAKS THE SILENCE

November 3rd, 2009, 10:20 AM	#10
jlaw98gt MM's Surfer dude Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cedar Grove NJ Posts: 2,733	anyone know what these calipers usually run? should i go to ford or is napa ok? i get napa stuff for cost so i use them for everything i can unless its something i wouldnt wanna mess with __________________ 1998 Mustang GT 5spd stock

November 3rd, 2009, 06:20 PM	#11
97S281 Hardcore Enthusiast 1997 Saleen S281 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: ZEBULON N.C. Posts: 1,557	If your replacing the rear calipers they go for around $40 bucks at autozone. If your going to replace the front ones i'd recommend going to a junk yard and getting the caliper brackets from an 01-04 gt. They use a 2 piston caliper and a bigger pad. The bracket will bolt right up to our cars and you can get alot better braking for not much more cash. __________________

November 3rd, 2009, 09:05 PM	#12
1rnkpny Hardcore Enthusiast 2007 MUSTANG Slower than a F-16 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,074	You can make sure it is the calipers just by disconnecting the cables from the calipers and seeing if your handle returns to its original position. __________________ MUSIC BREAKS THE SILENCE

November 4th, 2009, 10:25 PM	#14
1rnkpny Hardcore Enthusiast 2007 MUSTANG Slower than a F-16 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,074	Cheers and spanks! Um........I mean thanks. __________________ MUSIC BREAKS THE SILENCE

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